Police in Newark reported the arrest of Mr. Hector Perez, 48, of Newark, connected with the theft of a Newark Fire Division Vehicle left running in the city’s South Ward.
Police said just before 4:10 p.m. Sunday, a Newark Fire vehicle was attending to a vehicle fire at Avon and Peshine avenues when a man entered the car and drove away.
Police say the vehicle was pursued through multiple jurisdictions by Newark Police with assistance from various law enforcement agencies until Fairview Police observed the vehicle.
The pursuit continued into Ridgefield Park and ended when the suspect drove to the end of a dead-end road in an industrial area and crashed at 200 Industrial Way.
Police say, Perez, who is disabled due to having only one eye, was apprehended at the scene and was uninjured.
He faces charges of receiving stolen property, burglary, eluding, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an lawful purpose.
City officials remind all residents, police and fire personnel never to leave a vehicle running as it is a potential target for thieves.
These charges are merely accusations.
The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.